ACTK9
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Service type
Type of animal
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Introduction: John Horan has been training dogs since he was a young child. He was the neighborhood kid who took off his belt, tied it around a stray dog and led him home—only to explain to his parents that this poor dog followed him home, and we had to keep him!
John started training seriously in 1984 when he got Kaiser, his first German Shepherd, from Olympia Kennels. In 1992, he began to compete in the sport of Schutzhund. He is now a National Level Competitor in that sport, and has traveled all over the USA training with the best of the best and competing in local, regional and national events. In the fall of 2011, John and his German Shepherd dog Cholo competed in Rheine, Germany, as part of the United States World Team for Schutzhund. A large part of John’s life has been about learning—and then teaching others—how to form a highly rewarding relationship with a dog, based on mutual respect.
Advanced Canine Training offers all levels of training and behavior modification—from basic socialization and obedience to curbing destructive, fearful or aggressive behaviors.
Overview
Hired 59 times
2 employees
40 years in business
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Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2017
Featured Projects
37 photos
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Great 4.7
21 reviews
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Read reviews that mention:
Elizabeth K.
Jul 21, 2018
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
John is an incredible, high caliber, high efficacy trainer. This was our first time working with a professional dog trainer 1:1. We saw immediate results from the very 1st session through to the end. We were amazed by John's depth of knowledge. The tips he imparted were invaluable. John began with an overview by explaining his mythology, which was great - it provided a backdrop for how we should communicate with the dog and made absolute, perfect sense (clear one-word commands). He proceeded with the very basics as to what proper leash to use paired with recommended collar to helping us learn to train with the wireless collar. Despite having dogs before, we learned for the first time about marking behavior (correctly) for maximum impact and quick canine learning and more. We had a tricky (and not ideal) situation where we had a week to spend with the dog for training. None the less, John was willing to work with us and was flexible. He calibrated our expectations and I have to say he far exceeded what everyone hoped to accomplish with this stubborn, 3 year old Shiloh Shepard. It is clear he has a real love of dogs and wanted to help for the benefit of the dog and thus deviated a bit from his usual prescribed training program. It was a great learning experience for the humans and the canine. We're practicing and implementing the recommendations. We've already recommended John to another family. I would definitely hire John again without hesitation. Thank you, John.
Details: 1 dog • 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private dog training lessons • General obedience training • The dog trainer travels to me
Dog Training
Nancy P.
Feb 16, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
I rarely write reviews for businesses but it is my extreme pleasure to add a review for John Horan of ACTK9. John went above and beyond in training my dog Cooper. I could not be more please with the results of his work. I now have a wonderful dog who comes when called, downs, places, etc. I highly recommend John to everyone who wants the same results. He is a true professional. Thanks you John.
Dog Training
Siobhan P.
Nov 18, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
It's hard to know who to choose when hiring any professional. I have an 8 month old German Shepherd, and after doing much research trainers, I decided to go with ACT K9. I was so impressed from the very beginning! During the evaluation, I met John and Lindsey and 2 of John's dogs. I have never met more trained dogs in my life. John's interaction with them was amazing. A week later we started training my dog, Sasha. After one lesson, she was already learning to heel. We have only had 2 lessons so far, but Sasha is already listening so much better. John and Lindsey really know what they're doing. The training is as much for me as it is for my dog. I'm so happy I chose them!!!
Dog Training
Carrie E.
Jun 20, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
John trained our 1 year old boxer, Strider. He did an amazing job! Strider was a very stubborn dog that constantly mouthed and jumped on everyone. Thanks to John, Strider returned to us as a well behaved and obedient member of our family. Thanks again John-you're the best!!
-The Ernst Family
Dog Training
Kimberley R.
Apr 17, 2015
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
John has been great!!! Our dog Maximus has made drastic improvements with just two sessions. My husband and I couldn't be happier with the results thus far. We have a ways to go but I'm sure we'll get there with John's help. We are the ones that need the training to properly handle our dog and look forward to learning from him. ACTK9 have been the only trainers/behaviorists' that have actually taken the time to fully understand and help with our situation.
Dog Training